Separator



April 19, 1938. a c WOODFORD 2,114,553

SEPARATOR Filed June 24, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet l Swan 1M Bronson C.Wooaforc/ April 8- I B. c. WQODFORD SEIARATOR Filed June 24, 1936 2Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Apr. 19, 1938 'i' Oi FlC SEPARATOR Bronson C.Woodford, Dallas, Tex., assignor to The Murray Company, Dallas, Tex, acorporation of Texas Application June 24, 1936, Serial No. 87,020

9 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in separators.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved cotton separatorwhich will efficiently drop the cotton from the airstream which drawsthe cotton from the wagon, or other source.

An important object of the invention is to provide an improved cottonseparator which is so constructed that a continuous suction or pull may10 be effected, which makes for more efiicient feeding of the cottoninto the separator.

An important object of the invention is to provide an improved cottonseparator wherein a portion of the separating screen extends over theinlet, with means for wiping the entire surface of the screen, wherebyupon the introduction of the cotton into the separator, the air isimmediately separated therefrom and passes upwardly through said screen.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a cotton sepaartor'having an open reel therein, whereby substantially no obstruction to thecotton introduced into the separator is had, which permits the cotton toquickly fall downwardly within said separatorby gravity.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved separatorwherein the incoming cotton is dropped into a deadair space, and meansfor removing the cotton from this space,

whereby the cotton emitting from the separator is entirely free of air.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a separator having acomparatively coarse screen therein, with means for constantly keepmgthe entire surface of said screen clean, whereby the air may readilypass therethrough and also whereby particles of dirt, or otherextraneous matter may also be separated from the cotton.

A particular object of the invention is to provide an improved cottonseparator having a flared inlet, whereby choking of said inlet isobviated and also whereby the incoming cotton may expand to open up saidcotton and separate the docks thereof, which greatly improves thecondition of the same.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved vacuumpaddle wheel for a cotton separator which is simple and sturdy inconstruction, and which is arranged so that its flexible blades may bereadily replaced without removing the wheel from the separator.

A construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafterdescribed, together ,.with other features of the invention.

The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of thefollowing specification and by reference to the accompanying drawings,in which an example of the invention is shown, and wherein:

Figure l is a perspective View of a separator, constructed in accordancewith the invention,

Figure 2 is a similar view, having an end wall removed,

Figure 3 is a transverse, vertical sectional view of the same,

Figure 4 is an enlarged, partial vertical, sectional View of the vacuumwheel,

Figure 5 is a front elevation of the same, and having a portion of thecasing broken away, and

Figure 6 is an enlarged partial perspective of the paddle wheel.

In the drawings, the numeral iii designates an air-tight casing orhousing which is preferably constructed of sheet metal, or othersuitable material. An enlarged air conduit ii is connected to the lowerend of the rear wall of the housing and communicates with the interiorthereof. The conduit is preferably disposed at an angle so that a freepassage of air from the housing into said conduit may be had. A suitablecotton suction fan (not shown) is located in the other end of theconduit ii and thus, it will be seen that said fan will draw anunobstructed stream of air from the housing into the conduit.

The front wall of the casing or housing extends forwardlyand convergestoward the central por tion of said housing, whereby a reduced cottoninlet it is provided at the extreme forward end of the housing. It ispointed out that this inlet extends transversely throughout the lengthof the housing. A suitable transition M is connected with the inlet i3,and this transition communicates with a conductor (not shown) leading tothe wagon or other source of cotton supply. It is obvious that when thesuction means at the end of the conduit Ii is operating, cotton is drawnthrough the transition i l, inlet i3 and into the housing Ill. Thesuction means exerts an undiminished, contiuous pull on the cottonwithin the transition i l due to the location of the inlet i3 centrallyof the housing and also due to the particular disposition of the conduitH, whereby an even flow of cotton into the housing is had.

The lower end of the housing is provided with a transverse opening itwhich extends the full length thereof and a suitable discharge spout Iiiwhich has a general circular shape in cross-section, is connected to thedischarge opening. A Vacuum paddle wheel ll is rotatably mounted withinthe discharge spout and is so constructed as to prevent the escape ofair through the discharge spout while permitting the discharge of cottonfrom the housing iii. The details of the paddle wheel will behereinafter described. A suitable outlet conductor i3 is connected tothe lower end of the spout iii.

For preventing the cotton which is drawn into the housing iii throughthe inlet 13 from escaping through the air conduit l i, and also fordirecting such cotton to the discharge spout 55, a curved metal sheet I8is located within the housing. This sheet is suitably secured tosupporting members 19 which are fastened to the rear and upper wall ofthe housing. The supporting members it not only hold the sheet 18 inposition within the housing but also serve to space said sheet from therear wall thereof, whereby an air space or passage 2% is providedbetween said sheet and the rear wall of the housing. As is clearly shownin Figure 3, the sheet 18 extends from the upper end of the inclinedfront wall of the housing and curves rearwardly and downwardly in frontof the open end of the air conduit Ii. The sheet is provided with aplurality of perforations or openings 2! which extend from its extremeupper end down to a point at some distance from the lower end thereof.In other words, the perforations terminate short of the lower edge ofthe sheet, whereby a solid baffle 22 is formed by this unperforatedlower end of the sheet. As is clearly shown in Figure 2, the solidportion or bafiie 22 of the sheet extends transversely the entire lengthof said sheet and is located just above the discharge opening or outletof the housing.

As cotton is drawn into the housing through the transition 14 and inleti3 by the suction created in the conduit II, it will be seen that saidcotton will first strike the flared front wall of said housing. The wideangle formed by the converging front wall provides ample space forexpansion of the incoming cotton and immediately a portion of thisincoming cotton will drop downwardly through the discharge opening 15 inthe housing. Also, this increased expansion space prevents the cottonfrom crowding against the top of the housing and thereby, prevents anychoking effect at the inlet. The cotton which does not drop immediatelyupon its introduction into the housing In will, of course, be drawn withthe air stream against the perforated sheet iii and will follow thecontour of said sheet until it finally passes out to the opening 55 intothe discharge spout !8. The air upon entering the inlet i3 will, ofcourse, immediately rise and pass through the perforations in theforward end of the sheet H! which overlies a portion of the flaredforward end of the housing.

It is noted that the perforations 2i of the sheet are comparativelylarge, whereby dirt and other extraneous matter is drawn through theperforations. Due to the bafiie 22 at the lower end of the sheet, it isobvious that the air must follow the contour of the housing since itcannot pass directly in a straight line from the inlet i3 to the conduitI 1. By directing the air in this manner, it is obvious that acirculation is set up within the housing.

For wiping the perforated sheet 88 so as tokeep the perforations 2!open, whereby the passage of air therethrough is not interfered with, arotatable wheel 23 is located Within the housing iii. The reel includesa plurality of spiders 24 mounted on a transverse shaft 25 which has itsends suitably supported in the end walls of the housing. The shaft ispreferably in horizontal alignment with the inlet opening l3. Eachspider is provided with a plurality of radially extending arms 26 whichhave transverse flexible wipers 21 suitably secured thereto. Thecurvature of the perforated sheet ii! at its upper end is substantiallythe same as the radius of the arms of the spiders, whereby when the reel23 is rotated the flexible wipers 2'5 will engage the surface of thesheet to clean the same. It is noted that the construction of the reelin this manner provides an open structure, whereby the passage of airthrough the housing is not interfered with by the rotation of the reel.This eliminates an intermittent pulsating eifect on the suction becausethe usual solid paddle wheel is replaced by the open reel 23. Also, theopen structure does not interfere with the falling cotton within thehousing. It is further pointed out that the curvature of the perforatedsheet i8 is such that the entire portion of said sheet is wiped orcleaned by the reel and thus, since the screen is kept clean, thesuction is stronger because there is less tendency of the screen toclog.

From the above, it will be seen that the cotton is drawn into thehousing through the inlet l3 and immediately enters the flared frontportion of said housing wherein it is permitted to expand. Due to theinlet being located centrally of the flared front portion, it is obviousthat the air will immediately rise in the housing while the cotton willdrop down. The rising air will, of course, pass through the perforatedscreen and then follow the curvature of the housing, passing outwardlythrough the conduit I i. All dust and dirt of a fine nature will passwith the air through the perforations in the sheet and will thus beseparated from. the cotton. The cotton upon entering will, of course,immediately expand and then fall into the discharge spout It. Theexpansion of the cotton will cause the cotton to be separated wherebyany solid wads which may have been formed in the cotton previous to itsinlet, are broken up. Thus, the cotton is opened up and the locksseparated to a great extent, whereby the cotton is in a good conditionto be handled through the distributor or cleaning machinery (not shown)to which it is carried after it leaves the housing. The open reel notonly offers no obstruction to the falling cotton but also permits air tofreely flow therethrough and thus does. not interrupt the suctionnecessary for drawing the cotton into the housing.

As the air is separated from the cotton, said cotton will dropdownwardly through the outlet opening 55 in the bottom. of the housingand will fall into the discharge spout 18. Upon entering the spout N3,the paddle wheel i'i therein will carry the cotton downwardly anddischarge it into the outlet conductor 58. The paddle wheel I! may be ofany desired construction but it is preferably made of a plurality ofsupporting spiders 30 which are secured on a transverse shaft 3|extending the full length of the discharge spout iii. The spiders areprovided with radial arms 3! and the space between the spiders is closedby a transverse substantially V-shaped partition 32 which is locatedbetween the arms of the spider (Figure 6). These partitions are suitablybolted in place by retaining members 33 which follow the contour of saidpartitions and the spider arms. As is clearly shown in Figure 6, theouter edges of the partitions 32 extend beyond the end of the arms 3i ofthe spiders and flexible wipers 3A are secured or clamped between.shaftw3l sof the .paddle wheel.

other suitable means, maybe connected to either these .extended outeredges of the partitions. It

is obvious that as the paddlewheel thus formed rotates within. thedischargespout ltthe flexible wipers.34:willcontact theinner surface ofthe discharge spout and will. thus prevent the .escape be carriedaround. bythe rotating wheel and dischargedinto the outlet conductor 18.

Although thereel 23 in thehousing .I 0 and the reel l'lzwithin. thedischarge spout Iii may-rotate at. any desired speed, it is preferablethat the reel .rotateat a comparatively slow speed while the paddle.wheel .H-which has .a much. smaller di ameter rotates at a greaterspeed. For transmitting. motion to the reel 23 andthe paddle .wheel l1,theshaft- 25 of said-reel has .one end extended outwardly through theendwall of the housing ill (Figure 1). The extreme outer end of this shaftcarries an enlarged gear and this gear is connected through a chain 36with a small gear 31 which ismounted on the extended end of the A motor,or any oneof the shafts to. rotate thesame, but I have shown. a drivewheel 38nmounted on the paddle wheel shaft 3!. A belt is arranged to.pass over .this drive wheel to impart rotation to said shaft.

It isclear that when thepaddle wheel I1 is rotated at a given speed, thereel 23 will be rotated at a much slower speed due to the connectionbetween the small and large gears 31 and 35 respectively, by the chain36.

The operation of the device is obvious. The suction means (not shown) atthe end of the conduit II will draw the cotton from the transition l4into the housing In through the reduced inlet I3. Upon entering thehousing the cotton is permitted to expand due to the wide angle of thefront portion of the housing. The air will immediately tend to risewithin said housing while the cotton will drop toward the dischargespout IS. The open reel 23 will not interfere with the falling cotton orwith the air stream whereby an undiminished continuous pull on thecotton is had. The air will, of course, escape through the perforationsin the sheet I8 and will carry any fine dust or dirt therewith. As thecotton falls toward the discharge opening l5 it will be seen that itwill fall opposite the baflle 22 formed by the unperforated section ofthe sheet 18. This bafile causes the air to pass upwardly therearoundinto the conduit H and thus creates a dead air space at a point justabove the dis charge opening W. The revolving vacuum paddle wheel llremoves the cotton out of the air below the sheet. The structure of thepaddle wheel prevents any escape of air through the discharge and thusonly cotton alone is carried to the outlet conductor l8. Due to the wideinternal angle adjacent the inlet l3, it is practically impossible tofeed sufficient cotton through a standard telescope to choke theseparator down by overfeeding the suction. It is obvious that the vacuumfeeder can be speeded up to suit the particular installation. It isagain noted that this type of cleaner is a great improvement in thepreparation of the cotton for ginning. Instead of being dropped in solidwads as tramped in the cotton wagon, or other source of supply, thecotton is opened up and the locks separated to a much greater expanse,so that the cotton is in good condition to be handled through thedistributor or cleaning machinery. A..hinged panel 10' may be,

providedinthe front wall'of the housing l0 so that 1 the interiorof thehousingmay be. readily .a'c

cessible.- It is .noted that the. wiper Zluon-thereel as well as.thewiper on-thepaddle-wheel:

ll zmaybe readily replaced without removingthe reel =23 or. wheelfromthe device.

What I claim, and desire to secureby Letters Patent, is

1.: Acotton separator. including, a housing having an outwardlyextending convergent wall and havingv aninlet opening inv its reducedend, a suction conduit connected. in its oppositewall for. drawingthelcotton into the housing through. the inlet opening, a screen withinthe housing. open: to saidinlet for separating the cotton from-the.

air stream, said-screen having a portion. thereof extendingfrorn. andunderlying the convergent.

wall of the housing, means within the screen for cleaning the entiresurface of the screen, and a discharge in theb-ott-om cf -the,housingforthe cotton therein.

2. A cotton separator including, a housing have ing-an outwardlyextending convergent wall and:

having an inlet opening in its reduced end, a suction conduit connectedin its opposite wall for drawing the cotton into the housing through.the

inlet opening, ascreen-within the housing for.-

separating thecotton from the air stream, said.

screen having aportion thereof within the con.-...

vergent wall of the housing, an open structure reel within the housingfor cleaning the entire surface of the screen without interrupting theair stream therethrough and without interfering with the cotton, andmeans for discharging the cotton from the housing separately of the air.

3. A cotton separator including; a housing having an outwardly extendingconvergent wall and having an inlet opening in its reduced end, asuction conduit connected in its opposite wall for drawing the cottoninto the housing through the inlet opening, a coarse curved screenwithin the housing for separating the cotton from the air and fine dust,said screen having a portion thereof within the convergent wall of thehousing, and means for discharging the cotton from the housingseparately of the air.

4. A cotton separator including, a housing having an outwardly extendingconvergent wall and having an inlet opening in its reduced end, asuction conduit connected in its opposite wall for drawing the cottoninto the housing through the inlet opening, a coarse curved screenextending from and underlying the convergent wall of the housing forseparating the cotton from the air and fine dust, said screen having aportion thereof within the convergent wall of the housing, a rotatableopen structure reel within the screen for cleaning the entire surface ofthe screen, and means for discharging the cotton from the housingseparately of the air.

5. A cotton separator including, a housing having a divergent inlet, astationary arcuate screen extending from the divergent top wall of thehousing to the bottom of said housing and dividing the housing into acleaning chamber screen extending from the divergent top wall of thehousing to the bottom of said housing and dividing the housing into acleaning chamber and an air chamber, a revolving cleaner operating onthe inner surface of the screen for wiping the same, and means at thelower end of the cleaning chamber of the housing for receiving cottontherefrom and for discharging said cotton separately from the air.

'7. A cotton separator including, a housing having a cotton inlet atapproximately midheight of one side wall thereof, a suction conduitconnected to the opposite wall of said housing for drawing cotton intothe housing and across the same through the said inlet, a stationaryupright screen mounted within the housing between the inlet and theconduit for arresting the passage of the cotton and separating the samefrom the air stream, and a revolving wiper within the housing betweenthe inlet and the screen constantly wiping the entire inner surface ofsaid screen to maintain said screen surface free of the accumulation ofcotton and to produce an unobstructed passage for the air.

8. A cotton separator including, a housing having an inwardly flaredcotton inlet along one side, a suction conduit connected in the oppositeside of the housing below said inlet for drawing cotton into saidhousing through said inlet and across said housing, an uprightstationary screen within the housing between the inlet and the conduitthereof and open to said inlet and receiving cotton therefrom forseparating the latter from the air stream, means within the housingbetween the screen and the inlet for cleaning the screen, whereby theentire surface of the screen is maintained free of cotton andunobstructive to the passage of air therethrough, a discharge spout forthe cotton below the screen, said screen and the inlet side of thehousing discharging into said spout, and means within the spout fordischarging cotton received from the screen and housing withoutpermitting the escape of air from the housing.

9. A cotton separator including, a housing having an inwardly flaredcotton inlet at one side, a suction conduit connected in the oppositeside of the housing for drawing cotton from the inlet across saidhousing, an upright stationary screen within the housing between theinlet and suction conduit and open to said inlet for receiving cottontherefrom and separating the latter from the air stream, a cleaning reelwithin the housing between the screen and the inlet for cleaning thescreen without interrupting the air H stream, whereby the entire surfaceof the screen is maintained free of cotton and unobstructive to thepassage of air therethrough, a discharge spout connected with the screenand the inlet side of the housing, whereby cotton flowing down thestream is discharged into the spout, and means within the spout fordischarging the cotton therefrom without permitting the escape of airfrom the housing.

BRONSON C. WOODFORD.

